Virginia Beach, Virginia – The W-League Piranhas fell in their home opener 5-0 to the Charlotte Lady Eagles Saturday night at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The Red and White faced Charlotte in their season opener fighting to a scoreless draw. Hampton Roads falls to 0-2-1 on the season while Charlotte improves to 1-0-1.
The Piranhas started the match a little flat allowing Charlotte striker, Ashleigh Gunning to convert a fumbling ball to a goal in the fifth minute. Just four minutes later, Gunning struck again, blasting home a rebounded shot from Sam Huecker, doubling the Lady Eagle’s lead.
As the half rolled on, the Piranhas found their stride and took back their share of the possession. They were caught off guard in the beginning, but quickly regained their composure. While they continued to push forward, the Lady Eagles continued stacking up shots on goal. After the first ten minutes of play, the rest of the first half seemed relatively quiet. Nevertheless, the Piranhas stayed hungry. They put themselves in attacking positions for much of the latter part of the first half, trying relentlessly to penetrate Charlotte’s well-organized back line.
But in the 44th minute Christy Rife ran onto a Rachel Yepez pass and slipped it passed Piranhas’ goalkeeper, Victoria Johnson. Rife took Charlotte’s lead to three just before half.
The majority of the game was played in or near the center circle as the battle for possession raged in the midfield. Leading the Piranhas with her intensity was midfielder Rachel Gerdin who headed up efforts in the midfield. Gerdin was dominant in the air and won many 50-50 balls. But the Lady Eagles found a way to score one final time in the 75th minute. Striker Hannah Swift capped it off, while midfielder Jenna McKeon assisted.
The Piranhas came very close to adding their first goal of the season as they crafted some quality chances in the second half, forcing Lady Eagle’s goalkeeper, Alyssa Whitehead to make four key saves before the end of the match.
The Piranhas are at home again next weekend on Sunday May 30 against Atlanta at 5:30 pm. in the first half of a doubleheader with the PDL Piranhas at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The men’s side will host Carolina Dynamo at 8 p.m.
For more information about the Hampton Roads Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships, or to volunteer, please call 757-226-9020 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary 1 2 FT
Hampton Roads 0 0 0
Charlotte Lady Eagles 3 2 5
Charlotte: Gunning 5 (unassisted)
Charlotte: Gunning 9 (unassisted)
Charlotte: Rife 44 (Yepez)
Charlotte: Yepez 62 (unassisted)
Charlotte: Swift 75 (McKeon)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Victoria Johnson, Alicia Kostka (Laurel McKenzie, Melanie Adams-Cobb, Elizabeth Brewster, Caitlin Burke, Kari Byzewski (Stenard 36), Jamie Clarke (Allison Belsterling 75), Rachel Gerdin, Emily Kittleson (Julia Doolittle 70), Kara Cooper (Nisa Akins 85), Katherine Watson (Kinstin Walker 59)
Charlotte: Alyssa Whitehead, Mo Smunt (Maria Owen 56), Paige Lanter, Gianna Cavuoto (Jordan Edwards 75), Shelly Lyle, Carrie Lorenz, Sam Huecker, Janel Schmitt (Jenna McKeon 56), Christy Rife (Hannah Swift 70), Ashleigh Gunning (Callie Cavanaugh 71), Rachel Yepez (Hannah Gmerek 63)
Game Statistics:
Shots: HRP 11, CHA 8; Saves: HRP 0, CHA 3; Fouls: HRP 1, CHA 5; Offsides: HRP 0, CHA 1; Corners: HRP 0, CHA 3; Cautions: None; Ejections: None; Officials: Nicholas Gauck, Susan George, Emily Grove; Attendance: 621.
Aaron Zendehas
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